Raleigh-Durham International to Joe Foss Field RDU → FSD
946 nautical miles (1,089 statute miles) northwest on a straight line, true course 305°, about 314° magnetic at the departure end (variation 9W). At 120 knots that is 9 h 01 min at the quickest height in today's winds (12,500 ft, a 15-knot headwind), arriving about 7:41 am CDT (12:41 UTC). Right now RDU is VFR, wind from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots; FSD is VFR, wind from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 5W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft (due to mountain wave) up to 10,000 ft. Over the route from 50 to 149 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 90 to 229 nm out.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Over the route from 120 to 438 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 3W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 757 to 847 nm out.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from RDU.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B712 at 600 ft, 43 nm southwest, 9:06 pm EDT (01:06 UTC): overcast. 309 nm along the route, 43 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
LEX UA /OV KLEX/TM 0106/FL006/TP B712/SK OVC B006
- Report
- a routine report filed through LEX
- Where
- over KLEX
- Time
- 01:06 UTC
- Height
- at 600 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- overcast B006
- A21N at 17,000 ft, 35 nm southwest, 9:28 pm EDT (01:28 UTC): no icing, clear from 17,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: clear since departing KIND southbound. 399 nm along the route, 35 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
IND UA /OV IND183045/TM 0128/FL170/TP A21N/SK SKC/IC NEG/RM CLR SINCE DEPARTING KIND SOUTHBOUND
- Report
- a routine report filed through IND
- Where
- 45 nm south (183°) of IND
- Time
- 01:28 UTC
- Height
- at 17,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Sky
- clear
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- clear since departing KIND southbound
- UAL2499 at 28,000 ft, 12 nm southwest, 10:15 pm EDT (02:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 687 nm along the route, 12 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL2499 4138N 09137W 0215 F280 TB INTMT LGT CHOP IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The westbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: even thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 10 forecast points nearest it (RDU, ROA, CRW, CVG, IND, JOT, BRL, DBQ, MCW, FSD). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,500 ft | 280° at 18 kt | +18 kt | 102 kt | 9 h 16 min | 7:56 am CDT (12:56 UTC) | |
| 6,500 ft | 290° at 19 kt | +20 kt | 14 °C | 100 kt | 9 h 28 min | 8:08 am CDT (13:08 UTC) |
| 8,500 ft | 310° at 17 kt | +18 kt | 11 °C | 102 kt | 9 h 16 min | 7:56 am CDT (12:56 UTC) |
| 10,500 ft | 310° at 15 kt | +16 kt | 7 °C | 104 kt | 9 h 06 min | 7:46 am CDT (12:46 UTC) |
| 12,500 ft | 300° at 15 kt | +15 kt | 3 °C | 105 kt | 9 h 01 min | 7:41 am CDT (12:41 UTC) |
| 14,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | +18 kt | -1 °C | 102 kt | 9 h 16 min | 7:56 am CDT (12:56 UTC) |
| 16,500 ft | 300° at 20 kt | +21 kt | -4 °C | 99 kt | 9 h 33 min | 8:13 am CDT (13:13 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 290° at 23 kt | +23 kt | -8 °C | 97 kt | 9 h 45 min | 8:25 am CDT (13:25 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 300° at 27 kt | +28 kt | -20 °C | 92 kt | 10 h 17 min | 8:57 am CDT (13:57 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 290° at 32 kt | +32 kt | -34 °C | 88 kt | 10 h 45 min | 9:25 am CDT (14:25 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 290° at 45 kt | +45 kt | -41 °C | 75 kt | 12 h 37 min | 11:17 am CDT (16:17 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 290° at 46 kt | +46 kt | -49 °C | 74 kt | 12 h 47 min | 11:27 am CDT (16:27 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDU | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 280/33 | 300/23 11° | 300/28 8° | 290/28 4° | 260/41 -6° | 240/52 -18° | 230/66 -31° | 230/76 -39° | 240/52 -49° |
| ROA | used from 50 nm out; 45 nm from the line | 310/29 | 330/31 13° | 340/28 7° | 330/25 3° | 310/32 -8° | 300/32 -22° | 290/32 -31° | 270/35 -38° | 270/32 -47° |
| CRW | used from 149 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 330/20 | 330/23 11° | 340/25 8° | 340/21 2° | 340/33 -9° | 340/41 -20° | 330/42 -35° | 320/44 -39° | 320/43 -47° |
| CVG | used from 249 nm out; 65 nm from the line | 320/18 | 350/32 16° | 350/35 10° | 350/30 3° | 330/30 -7° | 340/44 -20° | 340/58 -35° | 330/72 -41° | 320/36 -49° |
| IND | used from 399 nm out; 3 nm from the line | 290/16 | 310/20 16° | 320/21 10° | 330/13 3° | 300/25 -7° | 320/32 -19° | 330/46 -34° | 320/61 -43° | 320/63 -50° |
| JOT | used from 498 nm out; 62 nm from the line | 250/23 | 270/22 15° | 250/16 10° | 240/9 4° | 280/22 -7° | 280/29 -19° | 300/29 -34° | 290/50 -43° | 300/64 -52° |
| BRL | used from 598 nm out; 53 nm from the line | 230/24 | 240/29 15° | 290/16 10° | 280/15 4° | 260/23 -7° | 260/32 -19° | 260/36 -33° | 280/48 -41° | 280/59 -52° |
| DBQ | used from 648 nm out; 49 nm from the line | 230/33 | 250/30 16° | 280/15 9° | 260/15 5° | 260/21 -7° | 260/24 -20° | 250/37 -33° | 270/42 -43° | 280/63 -52° |
| MCW | used from 747 nm out; 47 nm from the line | 220/44 | 250/30 17° | 230/14 12° | 240/17 6° | 250/22 -8° | 270/29 -20° | 250/34 -34° | 260/52 -43° | 260/59 -51° |
| FSD | used from 847 nm out; 75 nm from the line | 190/9 | 230/30 18° | 240/23 13° | 240/20 6° | 260/22 -9° | 250/31 -21° | 250/43 -36° | 260/49 -43° | 270/53 -47° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDU Raleigh/Durham, NC | departure | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 4,300 feet | from the southwest (230°) at 11 knots | 10+ mi | 4,300 ft | 435 ft | 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC) |
| GSO Greensboro, NC | 50 nm out, 21 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, a broken layer at 11,000 feet | from the west-southwest (240°) at 8 knots | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 925 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| EBD Williamson, WV | 189 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | no report just now | 1,883 ft | ||||
| HTS Huntington, WV | 229 nm out, 25 nm northeast of the line, tower | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 700 feet, overcast at 1,400 feet Weather: mist | from the west (280°) at 5 knots | 2.5 mi | 700 ft | 828 ft | 02:51 UTC |
| CVG Covington, KY | 339 nm out, 7 nm northeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 1,900 feet, scattered clouds at 3,200 feet | from the west (280°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 896 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| IND Indianapolis, IN | 428 nm out, 6 nm east of the line, tower | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 796 ft | 02:54 UTC |
| BMI Bloomington/Normal, IL | 548 nm out, 16 nm southwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 5 knots | 10+ mi | none | 871 ft | 02:56 UTC |
| MLI Moline, IL | 638 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 10 knots | 10+ mi | none | 589 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| CID Cedar Rapids, IA | 697 nm out, 5 nm northwest of the line, tower | VFR | from the south (180°) at 6 knots | 10+ mi | none | 869 ft | 02:52 UTC |
| IFA Iowa Falls, IA | 777 nm out, 4 nm northwest of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,137 ft | 03:15 UTC |
| SPW Spencer, IA | 877 nm out, 4 nm northeast of the line | VFR | from the south-southeast (160°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,338 ft | 02:53 UTC |
| FSD Sioux Falls, SD | destination | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 18,000 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet | from the northwest (320°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 1,430 ft | 9:56 pm CDT (02:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 1,883 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FSD when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 7:41 am CDT (12:41 UTC)
Wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet VFR
The whole forecast for FSD
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 25,000 feet
- From Sun 11:00 pm CDT (04:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am CDT (13:00 UTC): wind from the northeast at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 700 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm CDT (19:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- From Mon 4:00 pm CDT (21:00 UTC): wind from the west at 11 knots, gusting to 17, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for RDU, the departure
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 12 knots, gusting to 21, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 8 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 10:00 am EDT (14:00 UTC): wind from the northwest at 9 knots, gusting to 18, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
- 6/8029 Cincinnati, OH, Friday, October 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 Local 2 nm from the route, 339 nm along the route · a VIP movement · until 12 October · ZID
Daylight
Sunset at RDU 6:43 pm EDT (22:43 UTC), at FSD 6:49 pm CDT (23:49 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:17 pm CDT (00:17 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Raleigh-Durham International, Joe Foss Field.